Review of the SCRIBO Feel Melograno : My search for an Omas-worthy nib

PRELUDE

Compensating for missing out on an Omas Extra Flessible nib

I managed to snag an Omas Arte Italiana Vision fountain pen back in 2015 when Omas was still around. The Art Vision in green/emerald with a medium nib is absolutely adorable and perfectly showcases the design flair Omas was known for. Just take a look at the ruthenium-plated ‘O’ on the finial! However, the extra-flessible has nib always intrigued me, especially when Omas launched the Ogiva Alba & Cocktail series with that option. But my courage couldn’t match my budget or rather the lack of it. So in mid-2020, I went for a Scribo with a Feel the Flex nib to address this emotional gap. A chat with ever-gracious Frank from Fontoplumo assured me that Scribo indeed had the Omas equipment as the other reviews suggested, so the nibs would be similar, if not identical. Somehow, the newly resurrected Omas pens don't quite capture the finesse that the classic Omas pens had in abundance.

PRESENTATION (3/6)

A cardboard box and a canvas wrap

The packaging is pretty basic and seems to be a combination of eco-friendliness and cost-friendliness. The cardboard box didn’t survive my move, it looked like it lost a fight crumpled under a paper weight. So, no photos or fond memories of the box. I mean, if you're charging over $500, wouldn't it make sense to spend 1/20th of that on a box that doesn't self-destruct? Anyway, rant over, I did manage to keep the off-grey canvas wrap, so at least there's that!

As you can see, the wrap can carry two pens and a polishing cloth. Alas! they forgot to include the polishing cloth.

DESIGN (4/6)

Somewhat Greek-y Functionalism sans a Greek-key

I had the chance to chat with Luca from Scribo, who I later found out is the founder of the company. This conversation happened because the metal parts of my pen decided to oxidise themselves within a month. Rust spots popped up all over the cap band and parts of the clip, like the pen had gone on a deep-sea dive. I was shocked to see such quality issues with the plating so soon. Even my Platinum #3776 took a good 3-4 years to show off how thin its gold plating was, but for the price and the gold nib, I could live with it. 

 A penalty of -2 for all the trouble, but the excellent customer service from Luca within COVID-19 restrictions adds +1. Luca and his team handled all the issues with incoming customs when the product was mistakenly declared as merchandise by the postal department here. He was gracious enough to send a free sample bottle of Rosso Melograno ink along with the pen. I love the colour more than Rosso Chianti which would be the one to go with the pen.

Melograno in Italian translates to pomegranate tree. One of the reasons I chose this variant is that I did not have any fountain pens in those hues, unless you consider a Platinum 3776 in burgundy to be one. Especially with the subtle play of maroon, pink, and white streaks in a cracked ice pattern, the pen becomes quite attractive. The pen feels substantial in the hand, thanks to its hourglass design and gentle tapering at the finial ends. It is slightly larger compared to an Omas Vision/Paragon, which initially felt a bit odd. 

      The legendary dodecagonal structure is aesthetically pleasing and prevents the pen from rolling off surfaces. Compared to Omas, I feel the Scribo Feel leans more towards functionalism rather than aesthetics. Unlike the Omas, there is no Greek-key design on the cap band, and I feel the design has been somewhat rushed for the sake of modernism, with quick parallel lines.

The uncapping is quick and takes about 1.25 turns for the cap to come off - perfect for those impatient moments. A nice touch is the continuation of the dodecagonal structure into the section. 

The section itself is long and comfortable to hold, ending with a rhodium-plated ring for that extra bit of bling. More on that later. Somehow, I probably expected a classic Omas-like Greek key design here too, but I guess they decided to leave ancient history in the past.

Now, coming back to the cap, it feels substantial with its spring-loaded convex clip that curves into a concave arc towards the end. The clip is one of the best functional parts I've used, much like the GvFC clips. The cap band is adorned with parallel lines and proudly displays SCRIBO, which stands for Scrittura Bolognese or "Bolognese writing," alongside their slogan, "Feel the Writing”. And yes, it does feel very comfortable while writing, like a handshake from an old friend.

        The finial, or cap medallion, is inscribed with a feather quill and features some parallel lines running along it. The cap gently tapers towards this end. Nothing too remarkable here.

FILLING & CLEANING SYSTEMS (6/6)

A convenient piston filler

The piston mechanism is very well made and seems functionally superior to the Omas Vision I have, in terms of suction and smoothness of operation. However, Pelikans are probably the best of the lot.

The piston fills up smoothly with 1.3-1.4ml of ink. The mechanism includes a brass/metal sleeve, adding some extra heft to the Feel. No complaints here—it works like a charm. My only gripe, shared by a few others, is the lack of an ink window. With the flexible nib and wet ebonite feed, this pen runs out of ink faster than others with similar ink capacity.

NIB - ALL THAT MATTERS (5/6)

The Extra-Flessiblity 

The Scribo Feel series boasts an array of around 10-12 different nib variations, now including both 18k stock and 14k flexible nibs. While I haven’t had the pleasure of using an 18k nib yet, I imagine it’s as soft and luxurious as an Omas. The 14k ones are meant to cater to our extra-flessible desires.

      Love it! Except for the inscription. The 14k feel the FLEX, Fine nib. It’s  simultaneously one of the most beautiful nib in terms of writing and unappealing in terms of design. While it may have the writing charm of Omas nibs of yore, the embossing of slogan, company and gold content of the nib residing within an elongated hexagon doesn’t market the nib well. But I do not think the Omas extra-flessible nibs had much to offer either.

Speaking of shape, the nib bears a striking resemblance to the Omas Art Vision.

Once you turn the nib, the first thing you'll notice is the feed, and then the tip. The tip appears to have a sort of an elongated bulb. The feed has the exact same structure as an Omas. It’s a heat set black ebonite feed and supports the wet ink flow very well. In theory, ebonite attracts water as it is hydrophilic as opposed to hydrophobic plastics which repel water, thereby wetting more efficiently under the nib. 

PHYSICS OF IT (6/6) – RELATIVELY SPEAKING

The Newtonian Laws

The overall capped length measures approximately 15 cm. The section offers one of the most comfortable grips in my collection, with a diameter ranging from approximately 1.1 to 1.2 cm.

Below are pictures along with a Sailor Pro Gear Fujiyama Realo for a comparative reference. It was in rotation and sitting pretty, so I thought of taking a few pictures with that. Normally, I would post a standard Sailor Pro Gear, while writing. 

Here go the dimensions.

• Uncapped Length ~ 13.5 cm
• Total Length ~ 15 cm

• Exposed Nib Leverage ~ 2.5 cm

The weight of the pen is comforting even without the cap.

• Overall Weight ~ 37.6 g (inked, without cap ~20.5g)

ECONOMIC VALUE (4/6)

Functionality vs Price

I paid the full MRP for this pen. While it's finely engineered, I find it lacking in overall aesthetics compared to the venerable Omas pens of yore. Given the premium price, I would expect a more pleasing design on the cap band, thicker plating to prevent oxidation within 2-3 years, a more attractive cap medallion, and some attention to the inscription on the nib. Additionally, there are some micro spots of oxidation appearing on the trims, which are visible in the photos.

WRITING & FINAL COMMENTS (4.7/6)

Pleasure to write with, aesthetics need to scale up

The writing experience with this nib is among the softest I've encountered, responsive to pressure and writing style. Even without intentionally flexing the nib, its natural tendency to vary strokes is impressive.

   This nib writes wet without any issues of drying out or railroading. The slight feedback it provides is more about control than a flaw. With moderate pressure, the nib flexes, opening its tines and increasing ink flow. I handle it with care.

On Endless Regalia 80 GSM paper, using Iroshizuku Yama Budo ink, lines take approximately 45-55 seconds to dry. While I'm not particularly inclined towards flex writing, the nib does offer pleasing line variation.

I've been using this pen on and off since 2020, and it has become an essential part of my rotation. One crucial aspect is the approximately 3cm long, polygonally contoured section, which provides an incredibly comfortable writing experience. I find the section threads non-intrusive while writing. I appreciate Scribo's differentiation from Omas, as highlighted in Dries' excellent review. However, I can't help but feel that the aesthetics have declined from Omas' standards. I would prefer the pen to have metal sections that are better finished and don't oxidize every couple of years. Now, over to Luca and team to make those improvements.

Thank you for going through the review. 

You can find other pen and paraphernalia reviews here. 

  

REFERENCES

The Pencilcase Blog

Scribo - About Us

Pursuit of an almost elusive Pilot Bamboo

 PRELUDE

A sharp twist in the clip

This is going to be an unrated review in addition to an eulogy for one of my beloved blue Pilot Bamboo pens, which met its ultimate demise at the hands of an evil FedEx carrier. I would probably have spent more time pondering this loss, than Juliette would have done while finalizing the pen's design. Okay, I was joking. To bring this narrative to a point, I had noticed that the clip had lost its rose gold plating over the years. When I received confirmation from Namiki Repairs, along with their generous offer to re-plate the clip for a service fee, I was filled with joy.

       So, I packaged the pen in my ever-trustworthy Sheaffer hard shell box. This box has been my faithful companion for servicing various pens (including a Scribo, Pelikan M800, Pilot C823, and more) over the last few years. It has traveled to Germany, Italy, and probably a few other countries across the globe without even getting a crack. However, this trip from San Francisco to Florida was doomed.

                   I kept the fountain pen section with me and sent the pen with the rollerball attachment. I thought I had packaged it well with bubble wrap and other protective materials, drawing from my own experience of sending pens for repair both domestically and internationally. I shared the below picture the fountain pen community on Reddit, and the group chimed on the importance of armor-like packaging for expensive items, citing the continuously degrading logistics services of carriers like FedEx.

    As fate would have it, I had insured the pen at a relatively lower amount ($200) when shipping it. However, FedEx eventually approved the claim for $200 plus shipping costs. The FedEx representative had suggested a lower amount, around $20, but fortunately, I didn't heed that advice. I am still awaiting the arrival of the reimbursement check.

Then, when I reached out to Regina Martini, who always seems to have a few more pieces of rare pens, I was fortunate to find a store sample (a black rollerball) at a good price. It arrived within 3 days.

PRESENTATION

The luxury of yesteryears

The second Bamboo came in a luxurious packaging, probably meant for European markets. White cardboard box market with the Pilot logo, with a pull out ribbon, oh that finesse of gifts of yore. I appreciate it in its essence, since these boxes are temporal and will eventually find their way into the recycling plant.

Once you pull out the sleeve there is foam cut to compartments. The middle one houses the Bamboo pen inside a black Pilot branded cotton sleeve. And since it’s a rollerball there are two spare refills thrown inside the box. The papers are in the last compartment, which carry branding of Pilot Corporation of Europe.

The instruction manual seems generic one meant for fountain pens. I highly doubt that Regina has very kindly shipped me a spare box meant for the fountain pens, since this pen was a store sample.

DESIGN 

Symbolism 

The Bamboo pen, as per the original sales description, is meant to represent the shape of a bamboo stem, which symbolizes enlightenment in Buddhism. Buddhist literatures mention that King Bimbisara presented a bamboo grove to Lord Buddha and his community of monks. The characteristics of a bamboo stem - strength, flexibility, and growth, are synonymous with qualities valued in Buddhism. In certain Asian cultural precepts such as Feng Shui or Vastu Shastra, bamboo is believed to bestow divine providences such as peace, joy, and positivity. A book called Old Path White Clouds by Thich Nhat Hanh, contains stories of the Buddha from his many lives, and I found deep inspiration in it during my teens.

             The pen was designed by a French designer named Juliette Bonnamour, who purportedly had a passion for writing instruments. In my humble opinion, she was quite successful in amalgamating certain cultural aspects with a writing instrument. 

The pen itself has an appealing appearance, resembling a bamboo stem with slightly angled/tapered finials on either end. While a bamboo is hollow, I would liken this structure more to that of a sugarcane. However, naming it Namiki Sugarcane would have been inappropriate, if not ungodly. Let's stick with Bamboo.

                 The curvature of the pen is quite unique compared to others. It's akin to a graduated cylinder, thinnest at the barrel end and gradually increasing in diameter as it approaches the midsection where the cap threads meet the barrel threads. Then, there's a slight decrease in diameter as it reaches the cap end of the finial. There are around seven rings around the midsection of the barrel.   

        

In Buddhism, there are seven factors of awakening: mindfulness, study, energy, joy, tranquility, concentration, and equanimity. While it's uncertain whether these influenced the design of the Bamboo, the number seven holds a degree of sacredness in Vedic philosophy as well. It is said that one must pass the kundalini through the seven energy centers or chakras to achieve enlightenment.

The cap unscrews from the barrel with 1.75 turns, revealing why this pen feels so substantial in hand. The threads on the barrel, as well as the inside threads of the cap, are metallic. There is a step down from the barrel, and the rollerball and fountain pen sections are very similar in design, each adorned with a lone steel ring on the section. The continuity of the bamboo rings is evident in the design of the pen itself.

In this case, the cap features a rose gold clip, which is not a usual Pilot clip. It has a slightly convex curvature with some resemblance to a bamboo stem. The plating shows some wear, but I can live with it for now. The finial although unadorned, carries its own imprint. The tapered finials of the cap and the barrel always align themselves to meet at a finite angle.

FILLING & CLEANING SYSTEMS 

Cartridge Converter (Rollerball barrel can take in a CON-40/20/50/B not a 70)

The barrel unscrews from the section with almost four turns. As you can observe, the section has metal threading that syncs with the metal threads of the barrel.

Since this is a rollerball, it cannot accommodate the longer CON-70 converter without compressing the inner spring at the end of the barrel. However, the other proprietary converters or even cartridges fit well. I have tested the pen with a CON-40/20 and a CON-B converter, and they work fine with the rollerball barrel. I have a quibble about ink capacity, but it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. I found it easier to clean the section with the eye dropper that comes with a Pilot Parallel.

NIB - ALL THAT MATTERS

Frost-smitten

Pilot #10 14K. The nib was originally released in three stock widths - F, M & B across Japan and other countries. The frosted frontiers create an elegant contrast to the rest of the white silvery luster of the nib. An elongated hexagonal imprint separates the design from the outer shoulders and tines, featuring arabesque decorations within its borders, encompassing the circular breather hole in the center. 

              The branding and nib specifications of PILOT, 14k-585 (58.5% Gold Alloy) are imprinted below the breather hole, along with the nib size and width. The date code on the left shoulder of this nib is A903 (Plant-Month-Year), indicating a manufacturing period of September 2003, with symbol A signifying the Hiratsuka factory's production line A. Below is a list of codes sourced from Richard Binder’s blog, which may be helpful if you're just beginning to survey all the Pilot nibs you own. I did that already.

T: Tokyo factory (in Shimura, Itabashi ward)

H: Hiratsuka factory (in Kanagawa prefecture)

A: Hiratsuka, production line A

B: Hiratsuka, production line B

F: Thailand, Burma, India, or Brazil

Once you turn the nib, the first thing you'll notice is the feed. A standard bluish grey plastic feed with moderately spaced fins with a decently sized feeder hole delivers the good ink buffer. These feeds are pretty well made and render moderate wetness to the nibs.

PHYSICS OF IT – RELATIVELY SPEAKING

The Newtonian Laws

Although there's a step down from the barrel to the section, I find it comfortable to grip. The diameter of the gripping section is larger than that of a typical Pilot 742 series or a similar pen (such as a Dunhill AD2000) with a #10 nib, due to the additional piece of concentric cylinder above the aesthetic ring of the section. The weight is well balanced by the metal inserts in the barrel, cap, and section.

Below are the pictures along with a Conid Minimalistica for a comparative reference. 

Here go the dimensions.

• Uncapped Length ~ 12.9 cm
• Total Length ~ 15 cm

• Exposed Nib Leverage ~ 2.2 cm

The weight of the pen is comforting even without the cap.

• Overall Weight ~ 32.5 g (inked, without cap ~19g)

WRITING & FINAL COMMENTS

Writes soft and beautiful

The writing experience with this nib so far matches the experience I have had with other 14k nibs from Pilot, including the superb #15 nib of a Custom 823. The nib writes moderately wet, without any issues of drying out. It writes softly with a hint of feedback and a sense of control, which is perfect for me, though less springy than a #15 nib.

            This is a relatively stiff nib, even though some line variation can be achieved with moderate pressure. It's not quite my preference, but its softness more evident than, say a Sailor 21k nib on the 1911L or its equivalent. On Endless Regalia 80 GSM paper, the drying time for lines with Sailor Yama Dori ink is approximately 25-30 seconds.

      One aspect to consider regarding the step in the section is that the Bamboo provides a longer section compared to the typical 742 or a similar pen equipped with a #10 nib. Compared to a Dunhill AD2000 the pen appears to have a longer section. I find the AD2000 18k nib somewhat softer than the Bamboo. 

       I do not think that the pen was designed to be posted given the metal threading inside the cap. The Bamboo feels quite well balanced even without posting the cap. To be honest, the rollerball version is also a pleasure to write with. 

Thank you for going through the review. 

You can find other pen and paraphernalia reviews here. 

  

REFERENCES

Nib Codes